Saints close gap on Rams with Derek Carr to Rashid Shaheed touchdown pass

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The New Orleans Saints needed to score quickly with the end of the first half approaching in Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

So they looked to their fastest player to do the job.

Saints quarterback Derek Carr found wide receiver Rashid Shaheed open down the field for a 45-yard touchdown for the team’s first score of the night. Shaheed’s touchdown cut the Rams’ lead to 10-7 with two minutes left in the second quarter.

NEED FOR SHAHEED. Carr hits him in stride 🎯 #NOvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Nz8Z54zYm0 pic.twitter.com/l3JiK3piAY

— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023

Shaheed had several steps on the nearest defender for the score, which was his fourth receiving touchdown of the season. According to ESPN Stats & Information, it was Shaheed’s fifth reception of 40+ air yards this season, the most in the NFL and the most by a Saints receiver since ESPN began tracking air yards in 2006.

It was also Shaheed’s fourth career receiving TD of at least 40 yards, which is tied for the fourth-most in the NFL since he entered the league as an undrafted rookie last season. Two of his four receiving touchdowns this season have been at least 40 yards or more.